The term "Watergate" generally refers to the June 17, 1972, break-in of the Democratic National Committee offices in the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C.
The Watergate Special Prosecution Force subpoenaed conversations relating to the Watergate break-in and the administration cover-up to use in trials of Watergate conspirators.

The investigation into the Watergate break-in exposed a trail of abuses that led to the highest levels of the Nixon administration.
These abuses are sometimes lumped under the term "Watergate." The abuses as investigated by the
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities 1972 included:

Misuse of Government Agencies

Watergate Break-In

Watergate Cover-Up

Campaign Practices

Obstruction of Justice

Campaign Financing

Milk Fund Investigation

Hughes-Rebozo Investigation

Emoluments and Tax Evasion

International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) Investigation

President Nixon resigned from office under threat of impeachment on August 9, 1974.